Congratulations to the following Akarana Under 15 representative players from Richmond including: Daymon Abbey, Dylan Tavita, Carlos Henry. Mikey Williams, Sione Ngahe, Chanel Harris­ Tavita, Hayes Okesene, Soane Hufanga and Keaston Schmidt. 

Also congratulations and best of luck to former Richmond Premier coach Frank Fuimaono and Richmond Junior grade manager Anita Smith-McKinnon who form the Akarana Under 15s coaching and management team. 

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The Richmond Under 8s played Bay Roskill RED. Well done to Vincent Ieriko on his great performance who was also awarded player of the day. Final score 20-20 Draw.

Richmond Under 13s coached by Premier player Bronson Harden and Managed by Denise Dunn played the Glenora Bears. Player of the Day went to Timor Holo-Williams. Highlight of the day went to Glenora who have a big heart and didn't give up despite playing short of a full team. Final score Richmond 48 - Glenora 8. 

Congratulations to the following players from Richmond who have been selected for the Akarana Under 15s team. Well done on your appointment and we wish you all the very best on your series.
Daymon Abbey
Dylan Tavita
Carlos Henry
Mikey Williams
Sione Ngahe
Chanel Harris-Tavita
Hayes Okesene
Soane Hufanga
Keaston Schmidt

Talofa family and our beloved Richmond Under 18s

We have 8 players registered and we are looking for another 8 before we can take the field even though all we need is another 5 players. 8 so we can ensure to last the season. We will continue to train every Tuesday and Thursday until we find the required number of players.

Are you up for a challenge? Do you want to keep testing yourself as a league player? Do you know of someone looking for a team to play for? That is what is going on at the moment with our Under 18s team.

Am not going to lie, it is a very frustrating time but we can register a team any time throughout the season. We are going to persevere. I will continue to give you updates. We appreciate those who have signed up already and if your thinking of signing up please feel free to contact me and come down to the club. 

Faafetailava and God bless - Mathew Timaloa

On Saturday 29 March, the Richmond Rovers Junior club participated at the Grey Lynn Street Party organised by the Grey Lynn Business Association. This community run event allowed for the Richmond Rovers Rugby league & sports club to mix and mingle with other local businesses. The Richmond Rovers Junior club got together and ran a successful sausage sizzle barbecue fund-raiser outside of the Grey Lynn Tavern. 

Much thanks to the Grey Lynn Residents, Grey Lynn Business Association, the Richmond Junior club volunteers, Grey Lynn Tavern and our loyal supporters of Richmond Rovers rugby league. We appreciated the opportunity to promote our proud club and for also sharing your thoughts, feedback and welcomed donations. 

By LAUREN PRIESTLEY
Source: Harbour News

 A century-old club is breaking new ground by going cold turkey this year.
Richmond Rovers Rugby League & Sports Club, based at Grey Lynn Park, has been alcohol-free since March 17.

"We're basically promoting this as a sports club, not a drinking club," chairman Gus Fepuleai says.

"It's about forward thinking and trying to get alcohol right away from our kids. We've got to change that culture of drinking and sports that's been around forever."

The decision was made because of issues with drinking in Grey Lynn Park where antisocial behaviour, noise and litter have been the subject of frequent complaints from neighbours in the past three years, he says.

The club wants to bring the focus back to sport.

"Rugby league has been copping the stick for a long time and it's about time we're doing something positive.

"Someone has to take the lead. It's our performance on the field that is important and looking after the welfare of our players, kids and community."

The club will lose revenue from the bar but will save money by not needing to hire additional staff and extra security at the premises, Mr Fepuleai says.

Grey Lynn Residents Association chairman Dan Salmon says the decision to remove alcohol is a brave one.

The sports club has been working hard to foster relationships with other organisations in the area as well as the park's neighbours, he says.

"I think it's a big and bold step they've made to try and address those issues.

"I really hope they get support from the community and the club for doing it. It's definitely something to watch and hopefully other sports clubs around the country might follow."

Waitemata Local Board deputy chairwoman Pippa Coom says the club has made the decision with its future in mind.

"It's really courageous that they've done it. I know it is a difficult decision for them but I personally think they've really done the right thing."

Mr Fepuleai says the board is also pushing for new facilities at the Grey Lynn Park site and is starting a two to five-year business plan to increase membership with the aim of keeping Richmond going for the next 100 years.

The club wants to take part in the Grey Lynn Park Festival this year and will focus on selling healthy drinks and food at the clubrooms, he says.

"It's about the values and letting the kids know what is right and what is wrong.

"You can access alcohol anywhere. What's the big deal with not having it right in front of our kids' faces?"

Congratulations to Richmond Official Carol Redman who today was honored at the Auckland Rugby League Annual General Meeting for Distinguished Service to Rugby League. A well-deserved recognition which has been long overdue. Well done and congratulations once again Carol.  

Play rugby league in 2014, join a league club, learn to play rugby league, rugby league muster.

Schoolboys (4-18 years) & Seniors Muster

Muster at the Richmond Rovers Rugby League club rooms:
 Thursday 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th March

What to Bring
All players you can download, print and complete the player registration form and bring it along.
New players please also bring a copy of a birth certificate or passport.

The Richmond Rovers will be establishing even more junior restricted teams in 2014. A restricted team has maximum weight for players, this makes sure even the little guys can have a great time playing league without the concern of playing against physically much larger kids. To give you an idea the restricted grades last season are listed here.

Any questions?
Contact our club secretary Naomie on 021 106 3698, or just turn up on the day and we’ll be happy to help out with any queries you have.

Below is a list of Richmond Junior grade players who have secured opportunities in Australia for season 2014.

Faitotoa Faitotoa and Matthew Faitotoa - Newcastle Knights
Set up for a three year deal that will see them attend a High Performance Camp in January 2014 before they head to Ipswich State High where they will take up a scholarship that will see them join the Rugby League Academy and play for Ipswich in the Mal Meninga Cup before moving to Newcastle to join the NYC Squad in 2015.

Casey Lafaele - Penrith Panthers. 
Casey will attend Patrician Brothers Blacktown where he will join their Rugby League program while playing in the Panthers SG Ball side. The club has an option to extend Casey's time at the club for another year if he performs to expectation.

Tom Leota - Sydney Roosters. 
Will join the NYC Squad for 2014 with an option for an upgrade and extension depending on his performance in preseason.

Moses McGreal - Manly Sea Eagles. Moses will attend Narrabeen Sports High while playing SG Ball for Manly. He also will be given an opportunity to join the NYC Squad subject to his performance over the SG Ball season.

Michael McKinnon - Kingsgrove Colts/ Feeder club
Michael has undergone a shoulder reconstruction however he has secured an opportunity to play for Kingsgrove Colts in the Ron Massey Cup under new head coach and former New Zealand international Jeremy Smith. If Michael is able to make a successful comeback and play some good footy we hope to have him join a club for NYC preseason in 2014/2015.

By Jess Lee of Stuff.co.nz

Months of hard work and sacrifice have paid off for the Richmond Rovers side who were crowned champions at the Auckland Rugby League under-20 grand final.

Richmond trounced Papakura 32-18 at Cornwall Park on Sunday allowing them to finish their impressive season at the top of the table.

Coach Luisa Avaiki says the newly crowned champions are ecstatic with the win.

It was a slow start for the central Auckland side, with Papakura coming out firing to take the first two tries.

But as soon as Richmond had their first points on the board the winners' medals were as good as theirs, Avaiki says.

"They have worked really hard for this and have sacrificed a lot since we started pre-season training in November last year.

"We set ourselves some goals and we've reached them."

This is the first time in more than four years the Grey Lynn club has been able to enter a team at this level of the competition.

Many of the players competed with last year's under-18s side and will now be looking to move further up the ranks next year.

Not only are our Richmond Rovers Rugby league club Senior teams excelling in our Centenary Year, our Richmond teenagers are also very successful in 2013.  For the first time in several years Richmond has 4 teenage teams in the Top 4, competing for the Championship Titles.
 
Congratulations to our U20s, U18s, U16s and U16s and U14s players, coaches and managers. We are proud of you all- all the very best for the Semifinals. 2013 is turning out to be a Golden Year in so many ways.

Read more here